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facebookSanto Domingo, Dominican Republic- Congressman Charles B. Rangel released the following statement after Danilo Medina was sworn in as the 56th Constitutional President of the Dominican Republic:
"Today I am pleased to have witnessed the inauguration of President Danilo Medina and conveyed special greetings on behalf of my Dominican constituents in Northern Manhattan.
It was inspiring to see the newly elected President iterate his vision for the Caribbean nation. I applaud his goals to create 400,000 jobs and to add 1.3 million low-income Dominicans to subsidized health plans. I also commend the launch of new programs aimed to promote gender equity and help abused women, and to strengthen police surveillance in barrios with high crime rates.
Moreover, as a fervent believer in the importance of education, I welcome his announcement of a national crusade to eliminate illiteracy in the Dominican Republic as well as his initiative to add 18,000 classrooms nationwide by 2016, and for 80% of all students in public schools to receive eight hours of instruction by that date, from the current average of three hours per day. I too agree that education is the true key to development.
In all, I look forward to working with President Medina, former First Lady and Vice President Margarita Cedeno, and their Administration to further strengthen our two countries’ relationship.
The Dominican Republic is the U.S.’s largest trading partner in the region, and is by far the largest consumer of U.S. goods. I am very proud to serve the Washington Heights community with a significant Dominican population that continues to make a vibrant and rich cultural and economical contribution to our congressional district. I will keep working hard in Congress to expand trade relations with our Caribbean friends that will also help open new markets and opportunities for Dominican Americans in our local community.”
